Islamabad, Apr 7, 2025: A growing number of international students in the United States are confronting unexpected threats of deportation, as federal authorities begin revoking student visas without prior warning or detailed reasoning.
The situation has sparked anxiety among both students and academic institutions, as reports of visa cancellations surge.
Universities nationwide are observing a noticeable increase in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) deactivations—an official platform used to monitor international students’ visa statuses.
Email notifications have abruptly informed students that officials have terminated their SEVIS records.
In many cases, university administrators were unaware of these changes until after they had taken effect, leading to widespread concern and confusion.
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At Minnesota State University, authorities affected five international students. Staff discovered the issue only after officials detained a Turkish student enrolled at a different campus.
Reports suggest officials linked some of the visa revocations to minor infractions like traffic violations, while others revoked visas without providing any known cause.
Prestigious institutions such as Cornell University, Arizona State University, the University of Texas, and North Carolina State University have also reported similar incidents.
In some alarming cases, authorities detained students even before they formally notified the respective universities.
Immigration lawyer Rajiv Khanna pointed out that these cancellations are being justified using loosely defined legal clauses, including those referencing “foreign policy concerns.” He expressed serious concern over the lack of procedural fairness and the absence of transparency in the government’s actions.
Chancellor Javier Reyes of UMass Amherst labeled the sudden visa terminations as “deeply troubling,” emphasizing that such actions not only affect students’ futures but also damage America’s international standing as a leader in higher education.
With minimal explanation from federal departments, universities are now racing to provide legal and emotional support for impacted students who face potential deportation or prolonged legal hurdles.
This wave of unexplained visa revocations is placing international students in an extremely vulnerable position.
The U.S. welcomed many who pursued academic success but now threatens to uproot them without due process.
As educational institutions seek answers, there is growing pressure on federal authorities to restore clarity, fairness, and justice to the system.
